Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said on Friday that he’d accept an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who months ago appeared to suggest he needed a Republican primary challenger.
During a forum at the City Club of Cleveland, when asked whether he’d accept it, DeWine responded, “Well, sure,” according to the Associated Press.
“Endorsements are interesting, but ultimately, people make a decision [on] who they want to be their governor or their senator,” he added. “I’m not sure endorsements play such a huge role.”
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DeWine also confirmed that he would run for reelection in 2022, according to Fox 8.
After the 2020 election, DeWine acknowledged that President Biden had beaten Trump, who contested the results.
“It’s clear that, certainly based on what we know now, that Joe Biden is the president-elect,” DeWine said in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Nov. 15.
On Nov. 16, Trump tweeted, “Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested!”
During the Friday interview, DeWine also addressed the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, calling it a “horrible, horrible day.” He added that Trump “should have done more.” The day after the breach, DeWine said the then-president “poured gas on the fire.”
In addition, DeWine defended Ohio Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez’s decision to vote to impeach Trump. The 45th president was impeached by the House on a charge of incitement of insurrection in connection to the attack on Congress but was acquitted by the Senate.
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“He was voting his conscience. He made that call. That was his decision,” the governor said. “I think he’s been a good member of Congress. He should not resign.”
“This is a political season. They’re running a primary,” he added. “It’s OK. I’ve been called so many things in particularly in the last year. It’s politics; my focus has got to stay on Ohio and getting us through this pandemic and moving on.”
